“Getting to know your client is the most important thing needed to become a successful stylist,” stated Elena Smith of Images Hair Shoppe. “Once you have a good relationship with your clients, you become more aware of their preferences and they in turn become more trusting of you,” she further explained. This is perhaps the reason the clients and stylists seemed more like family than mere business acquaintances when our team popped in for a visit. The salon extended a warm welcome to the Under the Dryer team and bartenders from J Wray and Nephew — who prepared refreshing sips of Sex on the Beach and Raspberry Screwdriver cocktails.

Clients: Nicole Plummer, Kristina Dixon, Michelle Henry, Shenae Maitland, Sashan Smith, Nada Henry, Audrey Williams, Kimberlyn Walcott and Heather Grant. (Photos: Bryan Cummings and Naphtali Junior)

Locked Perfection

Michelle Henry

Michelle is proof that sporting locks as a Rastafarian does not restrict styling options. She has a dinner to attend so pops into the salon for a smart ‘do’ for the occasion.

Steps:

* Cleanse the hair with KeraCare First Lather Shampoo.

* Further cleanse the hair by using KeraCare Hydrating Shampoo.

* Condition the hair with KeraCare Humecto créme conditioner.

* Twist-wrap the hair in a ponytail.

* Apply French rolls to the hair.

* Use gold and black bobby pins to pin each roll in place.

* Finish the look with KeraCare Finishing Spray.

Michelle’s take:

“It’s perfect!”

‘Hair’s’ to Change!

Heather Grant

Nothing beats having a great haircut — it’s a great and immediate confidence booster. “I got my hair cut about a year ago and I think it is absolutely amazing,” she explained. It came as a bit of a surprise to our team therefore, when she handed hair extensions to her stylist Elena. Why would anyone change something they were raving about a mere 10 seconds ago? “There is nothing wrong with change! You have to mix it up a little every now and then,” she said with a smile.

Steps:

* Cleanse the hair with KeraCare First Lather Shampoo, then follow with KeraCare Hydrating Shampoo.

* Condition the hair with KeraCare Humecto crème conditioner.

* Blow-dry the hair.

* Once dry, apply hair extensions to the hair using the bonding method.

* Trim the hair with a razor.

* Apply Smooth N’ Shine Mousse to the hair.

* Flat-wrap the hair.

* Sit under the dryer for 10 minutes.

* Use a ceramic flat iron to style the hair.

Heather’s take:

“I love it!”

Curly Locks

Kristina Dixon

Kristina is the kind of woman who is not afraid to express herself. “I told them what I wanted my hair to look like — soft, cascading curls,” stated Dixon. The team got to work immediately. The Result — a very happy Kristina.

Steps:

* Cleanse the hair with KeraCare First Lather Shampoo.

* Shampoo a second time with KeraCare Hydrating Shampoo.

* Condition the hair and scalp with KeraCare Humecto créme conditioner.

* Apply KeraCare Creme Press and KeraCare Setting Lotion to the hair, then roller-set.

* Sit under the dryer until the hair is completely dry.

* Use a round brush and a blow-dryer to gently remove the roller marks.

* Use a curling iron to create barrel curls.

* Finish the look by misting the hair with KeraCare Silken Seal Liquid Sheen.

Kristina’s take:

“I am so pleased with my look!”

Bridal Updo

Audrey Williams

This anxious bride-to-be has been coming to the salon weekly to try out potential hairstyles for her wedding in July. Her stylist Elena decided to give her a side updo, hoping that this look would finally win Audrey’s heart.

Steps:

* Cleanse the hair with Jamaican Mango & Lime Transition Natural Naturalizing Detangling Shampoo.

* Follow with Jamaican Mango & Lime Transition Natural Naturalizing and Sealing Conditioner.

* Apply Jamaican Mango & Lime Leave-In Moisturiser to the hair.

* Sit under the dryer for about 45 minutes or until the hair has dried.

* Flat-twist the side of the hair and use a black rubber band to hold it in place.

* Pin the loose ends in place with bobby pins.

* Apply KeraCare Edge Tamer to the hairline.

* Finish the look by misting the hair with KeraCare Finishing Spray and KeraCare oil sheen.

Audrey’s take:

“This look definitely has the potential to be the one I get for my Big Day. I think it is fabulous!”

Waves Please!

Nada Henry

Nada stepped into the salon with her adorable son Romaine, who easily charmed all the women in the salon. As he worked his way around the room displaying his smile, Elena examined the condition of Nada’s hair. “Her hair needs to be relaxed and re-coloured,” Elena explained. In the end, Nada ditched her usually straight ‘do for wave-like curls.

Steps:

* Apply KeraCare FibreGuard crème relaxer to the hair.

* Once processed, rinse the product from the hair.

* Cleanse the hair with Affirm Shampoo.

* Apply Young Colour Excel semi permanent colour 66.6 by Revlon to the hair.

* Allow the colour to remain in the hair for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it from the hair.

* Apply Affirm MoisturColor Shampoo and MoisturColor conditioner for colour-treated hair.

* Apply Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide protective smoother to the hair.

* Use a handheld blow-dryer to dry the hair.

* Apply a row of hair extensions, a shade lighter than the natural hair, to the front of the hair.

* Use a ceramic curling iron to style the hair.

* Use your fingers to tease the curls.

* Finish the look by lightly misting the hair with KeraCare Finishing Spray and KeraCare oil sheen.

Nada’s take:

“It is fab!”

Funky New ‘Do

Shenae Maitland

Shenae has very short hair which she admits is difficult to style at times. A visit to Images Hair Shoppe for the first time she was surprised by the funky new ‘do they created for her. “Women should really let go of their hang-ups with short hair. It is fairly easy to maintain. Just flat-wrap your hair at night with a silk scarf,” she explained. Here is how you can get Shenae’s funky hairstyle.

Steps:

* Mist the hair with KeraCare Styling Spritz.

* Use a curling iron to create flips.

* Curl the front of the hair under with a curling iron.

* Use a hair pick comb to style the curls.

* Apply KeraCare Edge Tamer along the hairline.

* Finish the look by lightly misting the hair with KeraCare Finishing Spray and KeraCare oil sheen.

Shenae’s take:

“I like it. This is the first time my hair has been styled in this way.”

Curled by Design

Kimberlyn Walcott

As a stylist, Kimberlyn knows the importance of being fashionable. She insists that being fashionable means paying attention to details — especially where her hair and nails are concerned. So she took time out of her busy schedule and used her lunch break to get a quick beauty pick-me-up.

Steps:

* Cleanse the hair with KeraCare First Lather Shampoo,then follow with KeraCare Hydrating Shampoo.

* Condition the hair with KeraCare Humecto crème conditioner.

* Roller-set the hair.

* Sit under the dryer for about 45 minutes or until the hair dries.

* Blow-dry the hair with the aid of a round brush.

* Apply Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide to the hair.

* Use a ceramic flat iron to straighten the hair.

* Use a curling iron to create flips to the front of the hair and barrel curls to the back.

Kimberlyn’s take:

” I think it is really pretty.”

The Cutting Edge

Nicole Plummer, adjunct lecturer

A few years ago, Nicole decided to change her look by getting a pixie cut. She showed her stylist Latoya a few pictures then entrusted her to create the look, which would not only suit the structure of her face, but match her personality also. This was not the only major hair change Nicole received from Latoya. “When I first became a client, three years ago, my hair was completely natural. In a way, I started a brand new hair journey at Images Hair Shoppe and I have no regrets!” she explained with a smile.

Steps:

* Relax the hair with Affirm Conditioning Creme Relaxer with Protecto.

* Apply Affirm 5 in 1 Reconstructor in the hair for 10 minutes.

* Shampoo the hair with Affirm normalising shampoo.

* Apply a thermal straightening serum and Smooth ‘N Shine Styling Mousse.

* Flat-wrap the hair.

* Sit under the dryer until the hair is completely dry.

* Apply KeraCare Silken Seal serum to the hair.

* Style the hair with a ceramic flat iron.

* Style with a wide-tooth comb.

* Mist the hair with KeraCare Silken Seal Liquid Sheen to finish the look.

Nicole’s take:

“I always love how my hair looks when I leave the salon!”